UPC/Virgin alternatives.

armstrongracer

Hi,

My old UPC media box has just gone on the blink (won't switch on after power up) Currently I have a tv/home phone/broadband package. I'm in Dublin and have cable into the house. What are the alternatives if I move away from Virgin (a satellite dish is not an option as it would void my terms of rental)

Wabbit Ears

virgin will replace the old box as you rent them.

If you have a standard wired landline ( as opposed to a Virhin/UPC IP phone) Vodafone of Eir would be an option, But it depends on what speeds you're able to get. Line tests on their webpages will tell you if your able to get them.

coylemj

armstrongracer wrote: »

What are the alternatives if I move away from Virgin (a satellite dish is not an option as it would void my terms of rental)

For TV, with no dish you will be restricted to Saorview which means the Irish channels only - no BBC/ITV/CH4. But you will still need an aerial of some sort, you might get away with an indoor aerial if you're at a decent elevation and facing in the general direction of Three Rock or Kippure.

For internet, you will need a phone line.

As Wabbit Ears has pointed out, Virgin Media will replace the box, it's effectively on rental so when it breaks, they will replace it for no charge but you will lose all stored recordings.

If you want a decent TV service and can't install a dish, you're stuck with Virgin I'm afraid.

Antenna

armstrongracer wrote: »

Hi,

My old UPC media box has just gone on the blink (won't switch on after power up) Currently I have a tv/home phone/broadband package. I'm in Dublin and have cable into the house.

Connect the cable directly to the TV and you should be able to tune in a number of analogue channels as a backup, until they replace the box or you make other arrangements

nathanq

Hi there you could always join vodafone home Essentials (MONTHLY COST)
€40.00
(for 6 months, then €45.00 thereafter)
1st year cost: €510.00

VikingG

coylemj wrote: »

If you want a decent TV service and can't install a dish, you're stuck with Virgin I'm afraid.

Does that mean that you are not counting the Vodafone and Eir TV packages as decent? otherwise I dont see why these are not options

Xterminator

i would have to say the Eir TV offering is substandard compared to Sky or UPC.

my inlaws have it, and when we stayed with them it drove me mad.

L1011

VikingG wrote: »

Does that mean that you are not counting the Vodafone and Eir TV packages as decent? otherwise I dont see why these are not options

They're not decent. Poor channel choice and every stream (viewing/recording) eats in your broadband speed. That and your total speed is usually dropped to ensure stability.

They're not Magnet/former 3PlayPlus for uselessness but they're barely better.